“Pat, I am so thankful that you are LIVING YOUR DREAM and that I get to live it with you. So many people have dreams, but you are one of the few I know who actually live them. Maui is your true essence because I have watched you bloom just like the flowers in the photos you send. Maui is a true paradise and it feels like I’ve landed in heaven. Thank you, Linda.”

I am so excited that my friend, Linda, is my first guest to visit me from the mainland. I plan on taking her all over the island and doing fun things like going to a Hawaiian luau, visiting the Lavender Farm and snorkeling with the turtles. We saw our first whale of the season and it was very exciting. We saw the dolphins and were graced with a beautiful rainbow when we started our snorkeling boat ride on the Maui Magic. It is such a joy to share paradise with her. I am sure I will have many stories to share.

I have several stories this week that I would like to share with you where I saw God’s hand at work. I love how the Universe works and gives me “information” when I need it. I don’t call them coincidences; I call them “Godincidences.” For example, I had my last chiropractor appointment last Friday. After the treatment, I stopped at the desk to talk to Dr. Wilcox’s wife, Dr. Gina, who is also a chiropractor. When my friend, Sandy, drove me to my first appointment she spotted Gina’s book, “The Power to Heal Yourself” and purchased it that day. Sandy gave it to me to read when we left the office.

I commented to Dr. Gina about how much I loved her book and how I resonated with her faith walk. That opened up the conversation and we shared deeply about our love for God and doing God’s will. We plan on getting together for lunch and sharing our stories.

I was taken back when she said, “Pat, I have to tell you something. My patient, Andrea, invited me to their next book club study and they are reading your book, “Simply a Woman of Faith.” I stood there with my mouth open because I had no idea this was planned. I asked, “Do you know how that happened?” Dr. Gina said, “Andrea met you at a water aerobics class a few months ago and you told her you wrote a book. They chose your book for their book study next month.” I remember meeting a woman at the class in the ocean, but hadn’t seen her since that day.

If I hadn’t hurt my back and went to the chiropractor for treatment, I wouldn’t have met Dr. Gina and wouldn’t have known that my book was being read for their book club. I am hoping that I will be invited to join them. God is good.

That same day, after my chiropractor appointment, I met my friend, Joni, at Ben Franklin’s Craft Store in town. Joni is getting married in March and I am doing the flowers for her wedding. We chose beautiful colorful flowers for the centerpieces for the tables. Many years ago, I had my own flower business out of my home and I love to do flower arrangements.While we were there, we noticed floral arrangements that were already made up. I said to Joni, “I wonder who does these arrangements?”

While we were checking out at the register, I walked away for a moment. When I came back, Joni was talking to the woman and asking her if they needed anyone to do flower arrangements (but I hadn’t heard that.) I immediately said, “Are you hiring people to do flower arrangements?”The woman said, “Yes we are, can you send me a portfolio of your work?” I no longer had a portfolio, but told her I would take some pictures of arrangements that I had made in my home.

I had just mentioned to my friend, Kati, that I was open to the possibility of some kind of part-time work (but had no idea what.) I had been praying about it and said to God, “If I am to work, please bring something to me because I don’t want to go out and look for a job.” As I reflected back over the last 20 years regarding my jobs, I realized that all of my jobs just “came to me” almost miraculously.

The next day was Saturday – Yard Sale Day. I found all kind of flowers, vases, ribbons and baskets to play with, especially at one yard sale when the woman said, “I am moving back to the mainland and am closing my floral business.”It couldn’t have been more perfect and what a confirmation of the direction I want to play in.

I went home and made some arrangements so I could send the woman some pictures of my work.I don’t know if I want to work a part-time job or if I will hear from Ben Franklin’s, but I do know that I would love to do floral arrangements for special occasions and custom made arrangements. Kati and I even came up with a name for my business – “Beauty in Bloom Florals.”

After my last blog, my friend, Trudy, sent me an email and said, “Pat, I wished you had mentioned some of the things you do “do” on Maui. You lead women’s workshops and you are writing another book. You also do life coaching. You are one hot mama expressing in this world!” Another friend, Karen, wrote “But you are doing so much.You are inspiring and your words are healing and make me smile. Such joy and freedom of spirit. Thank you both for reminding me of what I am “doing” that delights my heart and soul.

My daily prayer is to be open to receive whatever the Universe wants to give me. Here is a funny story of something I received this week. I went to my favorite consignment store, “Rainbow Attic” to browse around. I was standing in the front of the store when a man walked in carrying a frozen turkey in one of his hands. I had to comment and say something funny about the turkey. He said, “I just got it free from Foodland because I had points and am bringing it home after this. We both went about our shopping and I was at the cash register when he came up to me and said, “I have another receipt for a free turkey, would you like it?” Of course, I said, “Yes, thank you.”

“I am not only a bountiful giver; I am also a willing receiver. When I receive with gratitude, I plan an important rold in the circulation of God’s good. I am open, worthy, and receptive to the gifts showered upon me from a generous and abundant Universe.”Daily Word Nov./Dec.